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Can Chris Paul Take Over Reins in Golden State After Stephen Curry Injury? Warriors’ Dilemma on Top of a Rugged Start

Published 11/14/2023, 7:18 PM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

The Golden State Warriors have had a rough start to their season. They have lost their last three games and dropped to the 7th spot in the Western Conference standings. To make things even worse, their superstar, Stephen Curry, is set to miss some time due to injury. Steph has been ruled out of the in-season tournament match-up against the Minnesota Timberwolves following a sprain in his right knee.

That has opened the door for a bigger role for Point God Chris Paul on the roster. Can CP3 take over the reins of the Golden State Warriors and make up for the absence of Stephen Curry?

The Golden State Warriors have a big problem

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Stephen Curry has been the only consistent factor in the Golden State Warriors’ shaky start. He is playing at an MVP level, averaging 30.7 points this season. That has led to the Warriors staying in the winning column with a 6-5 record. But the Warriors are facing a huge dilemma as the 2-time MVP will miss some time on the court due to a knee injury. It is uncertain when Steph will return to the line-up, and that has raised some concerns for the Warriors. The absence of Stephen Curry will mean that Chris Paul will see an increase in responsibility for the upcoming games. Head Coach Steve Kerr will most likely push CP3 back to the starting line-up to run the show in Steph’s absence.

 

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Just when Chris Paul was starting to get used to his new role as the leader of the Warriors’ second unit, Stephen Curry’s injury might get him back to the role he has played his entire career. He will be the starting point guard for the Warriors, at least in tonight’s game against the Timberwolves. CP3 has helped the Warriors’ second unit become one of the most efficient second units in the league. And Steve Kerr will hope that Paul has the same impact in the starting line-up. Chris Paul has not had any scoring outbursts this season, with his highest score being 17 against the Detroit Pistons. But he has helped his team get some wins by being the Floor General on the court. As Chris Paul moves to the starting line-up, Cory Joseph and Brandin Podziemski might also see some increased minutes as the backup point guards until Steph returns to the line-up. It will be a great opportunity for the young guards to showcase their talent and get a permanent spot in the rotation.

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Can the Warriors win tonight without Stephen Curry?

The Warriors will face the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight in an in-season tournament game. Their last game was also against the Timberwolves, and Anthony Edwards and Co. beat the Warriors despite Steph’s magical performance. Chef Curry led the game in scoring with 38 points, but that was not enough to get his team the win. No other player on the Warriors roster scored more than 16 points. On the other hand, the Minnesota Timberwolves were led by superstars Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. Ant scored 33 points in the game, and KAT followed suit with 21 points.

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If the Warriors roster does not step up their game tonight, it will be difficult for them to beat the Timberwolves without Stephen Curry. Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Chris Paul, and others, will have to elevate their game and carry the load to make up for Steph’s absence. This season might be the last chance for the Warriors to win another Championship and extend the reign of their dynasty, and they do not want to miss out on that opportunity. If the Warriors get a win tonight, they will also get one step closer to winning the inaugural NBA Cup.

Watch This Story: How is Stephen Curry the Only Warrior With 20+ Points this Season? Dubs Legend Chris Mullin Pinpoints Glaring Issues

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Written by:

Rohan Bhaunt

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Rohan is an NBA Content Writer at EssentiallySports. He is a state-level basketball player and has been a fan of the NBA for over a decade. This allows him to deep dive into the sport and provide a fresh outlook.
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Edited by:

Sameen Nawathe